The Largest Caravanserai in Cyprus

Büyük Han is the best-preserved example of Ottoman caravanserai architecture and the largest on Cyprus.

Located in the market center within the city walls of the capital, Büyük Han outwardly resembles a fortress with a prayer room in the courtyard and numerous rooms around the perimeter.

• History of the Caravanserai
• Structure of Büyük Han
• Büyük Han Today
• How to Get There
• Frequently Asked Questions

History of the Largest Caravanserai in Cyprus

Büyük Han was built by the Ottomans in 1572, the year after they conquered Cyprus, defeating the Venetians. The construction was overseen by Muzaffer Pasha, the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus, and was modeled after the Koza Han in Bursa, Turkey.

The complex, originally built to accommodate travelers from Anatolia and other parts of Cyprus, was initially called “Han Alanyalılar.” Later, when a new and smaller inn called Kumarçılar Han was built nearby in the 17th century, it came to be known as Büyük Han, meaning "The Great Inn."

After the British captured Cyprus in 1878, the building was repurposed as the central prison of Nicosia. From 1903 to 1947, it was used as an inn, and until 1962, it served as a shelter for poor families, where they could rent rooms at low cost.

Structure of Büyük Han Caravanserai

The building is square-shaped, measuring 40 by 45 meters, with 68 rooms on two floors. The rooms on the ground floor, surrounding the courtyard, served as stables for horses, storage spaces, and shops where merchants could do business, while the upper floors were used for housing.

Each room on the ground floor has a low arched door, an arched window, and a hearth. The windows are placed high, partly to deter thieves, who saw the presence of wealthy merchants as an easy target, and also because glass was very expensive at the time.

In the center of the inner courtyard stands the mescit — a Muslim prayer room built from stones taken from other buildings and supported by six columns above a fountain for ablution. A tomb located southwest of the mosque is believed to belong to a high-ranking person who died during worship at the complex.

Büyük Han Today

After spending much of the 1990s in restoration, the complex was revived as a thriving arts center, consisting of several galleries, souvenir shops, cafés, and workshops, and has once again become a center of activity in the Old Town of Northern Nicosia.

Today, the former inn regularly hosts folk dance performances, piano concerts, and theatrical productions, and it is a must-visit attraction during a visit to Nicosia.

Interesting fact: Since the restoration of the caravanserai, the Cyprus Foundations Administration (which oversaw the restoration) has required tenants to sign contracts stipulating that all products sold in Büyük Han must be produced by the tenants themselves or be locally sourced. They also imposed a ban on selling products made outside the area. Therefore, the shops in the caravanserai sell traditional Cypriot products.

How to Get to Büyük Han in Nicosia

The caravanserai is located in the center of Nicosia. Below, you can see the exact location on the map. To get there by bus, go to the Kyrenia Gate bus stop, from where you will need to walk just under a kilometer to Büyük Han or take a taxi, which are frequently parked near this entrance to the Old Town.

Frequently Asked Questions about Büyük Han

Where can I park near Büyük Han?

You cannot park directly at the caravanserai as it is primarily a pedestrian zone or narrow streets without parking spaces. You can park nearby at the Bedesten Cultural Center at this location. A little further, behind the Bandabuliya market, there is another parking lot here.

Do I need to buy a ticket for Büyük Han?

No, entrance to the grounds is free — you can freely enter the courtyard and enjoy the beauty around. However, sitting in the cafés located around the perimeter will be more expensive than the average in Nicosia.

What are some interesting places nearby?

One block to the east is the main mosque of Nicosia — the Selimiye Mosque. Other mosques, a bit further but still within walking distance, include Haydar Pasha and Laleli. Nearby, there is the historically significant Lusignan House, the oldest hammam on Cyprus, as well as the Bedesten Cultural Center and Bandabuliya Market — these are the closest attractions to the caravanserai.

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